OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - WEDNESDAY - 29/1/2014 - THE PRESENT HELP IN TIME OF NEED BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

THE PRESENT HELP IN TIME OF NEED

MEMORISE 
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

READ

Matthew 17:24-27

Matthew 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 

Matthew 17:25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 

Matthew 17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 

Matthew 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

MESSAGES

The Lord is the great provider. He has provided for numerous people before and He will provide for the needy again and again. In John 6:5-13, we read of how the Lord provided food for a multitude. He can provide for your family as well. God’s provision takes different forms. In this case, that which was available - a small meal, was multiplied supernaturally as it was shared. After everybody had eaten, there were twelve baskets of extra food left over. There are times He provides by creative miracles - bringing into existence what was not available before. The case of money from the mouth of a fish as we read in today’s Bible reading is a very good example.

I have always believed that in every man’s life, there is a river with a fish in it. I implore you to take soul winning seriously because there is somebody somewhere waiting to be witnessed to, in whose hands the Lord has deposited resources that will meet some kingdom needs. By the grace of God, the Lord has enabled me to catch some fishes for him, who in turn He is using to meet some of His needs. Those whom the apostles won to Christ brought everything to the apostles’ feet for distribution among the saints. God loves you so much that you don’t have to beg to possess anything. You will enjoy a deep sense of freedom when you realise that everything you need is in God’s hands and that he can direct it to you as He pleases. During our annual convention a few years ago, I completely ran out of money because we usually feed the participants whose number we normally could not determine in order to draw up a specific budget. It was on a Thursday of the convention week which was to last till Sunday and we had completely run out of money. My wife ran to me and said, “Darling, we need N5,000 now”. I told her to go and come back to me later. After she left, I said “Almighty God, you heard that; I need N5,000 now”. Some minutes after the prayer, a man came and said, “I was just driving past and saw the activities going on here. I didn’t know so much is going on here. Next, year, I would like to be a part of it.” As he turned to go, he dipped his hands into his pocket and gave me an envelope which I eagerly opened to find N1,000 in it. I was encouraged and told God that “We have N1,000 down, now it is N4,000 to go!” Shortly after that, two young people in the Church came with envelopes in their hands and handed them to me. I found N2,000 in each of them. This was how the Lord met that immediate need. I pray that before the end of today, the need that woke you up from your sleep shall be met by the Present Help in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT

Father, I thank you because you are the Present Help in the time of need. Please meet me at the point of my needs today in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

James 1-5;

Psalm 27